Graceful and determined, Stephen Fleming will go down as his country's most successful captain and one of their best batsman after an international career that spanned 15 years. He owns a series of records, including the first New Zealander to pass 7000 Test runs, a landmark reached during his final series against England in 2008. During his last innings, in Napier, he did just enough to lift his career average over 40. Nine Test centuries is a poor return for such a talent, but Fleming was worth more than his statistics.

A stint with Middlesex in 2001 laid the foundations for a successful re-evaluation of his batting methods where the inability to convert half-centuries to centuries did no justice to his quality. But after a breakout innings of 134 not out to steer New Zealand to a classy World Cup victory over South Africa, along with another spell in county cricket, with Yorkshire, Fleming confirmed his greater batting consistency with a career-highest 274 not out against Sri Lanka in the first Test of their 2003 series. He followed that with an equally impressive 192 at Hamilton against Pakistan later that year and was named New Zealand's cricketer of the year in 2004.

The date 26 October, 2004 will remain in Fleming's memory, as he gained three New Zealand Test records in facing the Bangladesh attack at Chittagong. Firstly, his 87th Test earned him the record for most caps won by a New Zealander and, in striding to the crease for the 150th time, this was the greatest number of Test innings for New Zealand. And, as he moved to 81, in an innings where he would strike 202, he surpassed Martin Crowe's record aggregate of 5444 runs in Tests for New Zealand. He launched his first book, Balance of Power in December 2004 and, in the following season, captained Nottinghamshire to their first county title since 1987. He had a benign tumour removed from his face in December 2005, during Australia's one-day tour of New Zealand.

The following May he made his 100th Test appearance, against South Africa - appropriately at Centurion - although failed to mark the occasion with an innings of substance. A wonderful 262 followed at Cape Town but New Zealand were unable to win the match. The World Cup in the West Indies was Fleming's fourth as a player and third as captain and he led New Zealand to another semi-final. That was his final act as one-day skipper, though, as he announced he was standing down from that half of his role but wanted to continue leading the Test side. He spent the off-season playing at Nottinghamshire and dodging questions about whether he would join the Indian Cricket League. In September he announced he would stay on as a New Zealand Test player but retired from ODIs, and at the same time was relieved of the Test captaincy after a decade in charge, in favour of Daniel Vettori. However, after being tempted by the Indian Premier League he announced his international retirement and the series against England was his last.
Will Luke March 2008

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Timeline

January 20, 1992 Start as you don't mean to go

Makes his first-class debut in Hamilton, playing for Canterbury against Northern Districts, at the age of 18. Is promptly removed by Richard de Groen for nought.

March 19, 1994 Hamilton is nicer this time

Gives a glimpse of his talent on Test debut, against India, scoring 92 in the second innings and earning the Man-of-the-Match award. Follows this just days later with 90 on his one-day international debut in Napier.

1995 Grass is greener

Is caught by team management and admits to smoking marijuana on tour in South Africa, for which he is later fined $175.

Scores his first century, in his 23rd Test and in his fourth season as an international, when he makes 129 against England in Auckland.

February 14, 1997 Never too early to start

At 23 years and 319 days, becomes the youngest Test captain in New Zealand's history when he leads the side against England. He is initially standing in for Lee Germon, who cannot play due to a groin injury, but the position soon becomes permanent.

Leads his side to victory in the tri-series with West Indies and England. New Zealand cruise to a 107-run win in the final against West Indies, and Fleming is named Player of the Series for his 254 runs at 50.80.

October 26-27, 2004

Bashing Bangladesh

September 17, 2005 County champion

Captains Nottinghamshire to their first County Championship title since 1987 with a comprehensive win over Kent in Canterbury (incidentally his home side in New Zealand is called Canterbury too). His form throughout the tournament is outstanding as he scores four centuries and finishes with 908 runs at 60.53.

Quits as New Zealand's limited-overs captain after they are eliminated from the World Cup at the semi-final stage. Scores 1 in what proves to be his last ODI. Finishes his reign with a record 218 matches as leader and a winning percentage of 48.04.

July-August, 2007 What after New Zealand?

Is approached by the Indian Cricket League to captain a side in its new competition. Does not publicly announce his intentions, leading to speculation he is considering retirement from the New Zealand team.

September 13, 2007 New Zealand move on, so does Fleming

A day after Daniel Vettori is named the new Test captain, says he had seriously considered the ICL option ($500,000 for a three-month tournament), but chooses to stay on with the New Zealand team. "Effectively I had lost my job so there was a lot of emotion flying around." Three days later, joins the player pool for the IPL.

Announces he will retire from international cricket at the end of the home series against England. Plans to mix and match playing the IPL and starting his own marketing, media and sports management business.

March 22-26, 2008 Vintage Fleming

In his last Test in Napier, scores 59 and 66 beautiful runs, and then gives it away with lazy shots. Ends up with 12 more runs than what would have given him a career average of 40, a fair assessment of what many believe is a wasted talent.

Fleming, 22, is at the centre of a day of firsts for New Zealand. West Indies set the visitors a gettable target of 239, and when New Zealand fall to 71 for 4 somebody has to step up. Fleming does, pacing his innings beautifully against an attack boasting Curtly Ambrose, Courtney Walsh and Ian Bishop, finishing unbeaten on 106 and striking the winning runs with one ball to spare. It is his first ODI century, the first by a New Zealander against West Indies, and New Zealand's first ODI win in the Caribbean.

116 not out v Australia, Melbourne, 1997-98

Another New Zealand chase, another superbly paced Fleming century. New Zealand's only win on this tour of Australia comes as they overhaul the hosts' 251 at the MCG. An under-strength Australia attack still manages to have New Zealand at 42 for 3 and by that stage the bookmakers have the visitors at 20 to 1. Things don't improved much as they stroll past 100 in the 30th over, but Fleming gradually eats away at the target - he only hits eight fours in the innings - and finishes unbeaten on 116. It is one of many big knocks Fleming would play in come-from-behind victories.

78 and 174 not out v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 1998

Before the match, Fleming has been continuously accused of lacking concentration as he tries to build big scores. That trend looks set to continue when he absentmindedly strolls to the crease without his box and has to rush back to retrieve it. A lazy shot brings his dismissal for 78, but in the second innings he displays a rarely-seen resolve, batting for nearly eight hours and setting up a 167-run victory. It is Fleming's second Test century, and New Zealand hope it would be his career's turning point. As it turns out, Fleming doesn't reach triple-figures again in a Test for nearly four years.

This is a match New Zealand simply have to win. They have lost their World Cup opener to Sri Lanka and are about to give up a forfeit to Kenya because of security concerns. Another loss and they might not reach the Super Sixes. The home side piles on 306, but Fleming does not giving in. Wisden calls what follows an innings of "graceful power" - a 134 out of a D/L-shortened target of 229. After rain and electrical failure shorten the match, he guides New Zealand to their revised target with a four off Allan Donald. It is Fleming's fourth century in 192 ODIs, and it gives his team their first limited-overs win over South Africa.

274 not out and 69 not out v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 2003

Fleming's tenacious performance in this match makes it hard to believe he was ever accused of lacking concentration. He bats for nearly 11 hours to register an unbeaten 274 - easily his highest in Tests - and his selfless declaration leaves the door open for a result. But Sri Lanka negate the danger well, batting long enough to ensure a draw becomes inevitable. Fleming adds 69 not out in the second innings, and is on the field in searing heat for all but the first 44 minutes of the match.

192 v Pakistan, Hamilton, 2003-04

As if to prove his effort against Sri Lanka is no fluke, Fleming digs in for another lengthy stay nine months later. This time he falls short of a double-century, but his 192 in 479 minutes sets up a New Zealand total of 563, batting first against Pakistan. Things don't go so well in the second innings when he fails to score and his side make 96 for 8. But rain steals enough overs to ensure a draw.

With his side down 1-0, Fleming loses the toss in the second Test and New Zealand are sent in on a dreary day. James Franklin makes his maiden century, but Fleming is the star, racking up 262 and becoming the first New Zealander to score three Test double-centuries. He bats positively - his strike rate is 61 - but the home side's hefty reply is slower and the match peters out to a draw.

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